Special Nutrition for Large-Breed Puppies

 

Introduction

Choosing the Right Food for Your Large-Breed Puppy

Large-breed puppies generally grow more rapidly than smaller-breed dogs in order to achieve their adult weight of 25 kg or more. Therefore, they need a diet that supports growth without allowing them to grow too quickly, which can contribute to abnormal skeletal development.

Nutrition plays a key role in promoting healthy skeletal development. Limiting calcium intake is especially important in large-breed puppies from weaning. Studies show that large-breed puppies fed a high-calcium diet are more likely to develop poor conformation and early lameness in addition to other bone diseases. Research has also shown that dietary protein does not play a role in the development of skeletal abnormalities, but high dietary energy intake can promote an excessive growth rate and an increased risk of developing skeletal problems.

Look for:

Reduced Calcium

Iams® Puppy & Junior (formulated specifically for large and giant breeds) has 0.80 grams of calcium, compared with 1.2% in Iams Puppy & Junior small and medium breed, a diet formulated for small- and medium-breed puppies.

Normal Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio (1.1:1 to 1.4:1)
Iams® Puppy & Junior Large-Breed has 1.2:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.

Normal Amount of Moderately Fermentable Fibre

Iams Puppy & Junior Large-Breed has typically 3% of crude fibre) and contains beet pulp, a moderately fermentable fibre that helps maintain intestinal health.

Iams® Nutrition and Large-Breed Dogs

Our large-breed Puppy & Junior formula is a complete and balanced diet formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of large-breed puppies. No supplements are necessary. In fact, feeding calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D supplements will alter the critical balance of minerals in the diet and may increase the risk of developmental bone problems.

Our large-breed puppy & junior formula should be fed from weaning up to 24 months, depending on the breed/expected mature size of the dog. After that time, the dog can be switched to the appropriate adult food. Because our large-breed puppy & junior formula is specifically formulated for controlled growth, they should not be fed to pregnant or nursing dogs.